Millet Taxonomy

“Millet” is not a botanic term for a certain plant but rather an umbrella term for various small seeded grasses used for human consumption. In the US and Europe, proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) is the major millet consumed.

All millets belong to the order of Poales, and there to the family of Poaceae (also Gramineae or true grasses). They belong to either of the two subfamilies of Panicoideae or Chloridoideae.